Abstract: A signal transmission system has a transmission apparatus, a reception apparatus, and a transmission path. In the transmission apparatus, after signal sequences are coded by 8B10B encoders so as to attain DC balance, an error correction code is added to the coded signal sequences by an ECC adder, and the signal sequences are then transmitted. In the reception apparatus, error correction is conducted on the received signal sequences by error correction sections, and the coded signal sequences are then decoded by the 10B8B decoders so as to attain DC balance.

Abstract: A surface emitting semiconductor laser includes a substrate, a laser portion having a first post construction that is provided on the substrate and has a contact region on a top surface thereof, and an electrode portion having a second post construction provided on the substrate. The electrode portion includes a conductive layer electrically connected to the contact region and extends therefrom.

Abstract: A set of ink sticks for a phase change ink jet printer includes a plurality of ink sticks. Each ink stick is formed of a three dimensional ink stick body with a perimeter. Each of the ink stick bodies has one or more key elements formed in its perimeter. Each of the key elements has a uniform shape and size. The key elements are in different positions on the perimeter of each ink stick, and particularly the key elements of some of the ink sticks are on a different side of the ink stick than are the key elements on others of the ink sticks in the set. Corresponding keys on the openings through which the ink sticks are inserted into their appropriate feed channel exclude ink sticks of the set that do not have the appropriate perimeter key element.

Abstract: In a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer, insertion key elements are formed in multiple sections of the perimeter of the ink stick, including perimeter segments that are perpendicular to, or at least partially transverse to, the feed direction of the feed channel.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer includes a three dimensional ink stick body that has a top, a bottom, and a perimeter. At least a portion of the perimeter forms the shape of a visually recognizable symbol, such as an alphanumeric character.

Abstract: An ink stick for a phase change ink jet printer has a guide element formed in one portion of the ink stick body (such as the lower portion) for engaging a feed channel guide rail in a feed channel of a solid ink feed system of the printer. The guide element is substantially offset from the lateral center of gravity of the ink stick body. The guide element engages a feed channel guide rail in the printer. The feed channel guide rail is substantially narrower than the width of the feed channel. A second guide element is formed on the opposite side of the lateral center of gravity of the ink stick body. The second guide element engages a second feed channel guide rail in the feed channel.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer includes an ink stick body that has a bottom surface and a lateral dimension. The ink stick body has a lateral center of gravity, and a guide element formed in the bottom surface of the ink stick body, which guide element is substantially vertically aligned with the lateral center of gravity of the body. The ink stick is used in a solid ink feed system for a phase change ink jet printer. The feed system includes a longitudinal feed channel, and a feed channel guide rail substantially centered in a lower portion of the feed channel. The guide element formed in the bottom surface of the ink stick body slidingly engages the central feed channel guide rail in the feed channel.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus capable of producing duplex, or two-sided, prints, print sheets which have received a first-side image move to an inverter and a duplex loop which re-feeds the sheet to receive the second-side image. The sheets move through the duplex loop at different speed than through the main path where images are placed. A control system controls the time in which a change in speed of a sheet in the duplex loop is initiated. The control system takes into account a desired amount of buckle experienced by the sheet, which is useful in de-skewing the sheet before receiving an image.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink printer includes a three dimensional ink stick body that has formed in it guide means. The guide means is formed in a first portion of the ink stick body, for guiding the ink stick along a defined path in the ink stick feed system. An ink stick feed system includes a longitudinal guide rail in a first portion of a feed channel. The width of the longitudinal guide rail is substantially less than the width of the feed channel. the guide means in the ink stick is a longitudinal guide element having a shape that is substantially complementary of the shape of the longitudinal guide rail of the feed channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and rendering image data during a single pass through the image data is provided. In one aspect, the method includes: a) loading image data into a rolling band buffer; b) performing windowing on the image data; c) determining if a class change was experienced by any window having a portion in the output scanline of the buffer; d) if a class change was experienced, processing image data in the output scanline for that window portion using a blended rendering algorithm; and e) if a class change was not experienced, processing image data in the output scanline for that window portion using a class-based rendering algorithm. In another aspect, the method also includes rendering the processed image data for the output scanline of the buffer to a rendering device. The apparatus includes: a rolling band buffer; a windowing processor; class-based rendering algorithms; and a blended rendering algorithm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for depositing marking material onto a substrate which comprises (a) providing a propellant to a printhead, said printhead having defined therein at least one channel, each channel having an inner surface and an exit orifice with a width no larger than about 250 microns through which the propellant can flow, said propellant flowing through each channel, thereby forming a propellant stream having kinetic energy, each channel directing the propellant stream toward the substrate, the inner surface of each channel having thereon a conductive polymer coating; and (b) controllably introducing a particulate marking material into the propellant stream in each channel, wherein the kinetic energy of the propellant stream causes the particulate marking material to impact the substrate.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a solid ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer includes at least first and second three dimensional ink stick body portions. Each ink stick body portion includes a perimeter section that is substantially the same as a corresponding section of a keyed insertion opening in the solid ink feed system. Each ink stick body portion also includes a joint perimeter section that is the complement of the joint perimeter section of the other ink stick body portion, so that the first and second ink stick body portions fit together.

Abstract: A solid ink feed system for a phase change printer includes a solid ink feed channel that has formed in it a feed channel key that either blocks a solid ink stick from complete insertion into the feed channel, or blocks passage of an ink stick along the length of the feed channel, unless the ink stick has a key element corresponding to the feed channel key. A solid ink stick is formed of a three dimensional ink stick body with a key element that extends along a surface of the ink stick body through the rear of the ink stick body.

Abstract: A method and a system for computing the function value of an input node based on function values of known nodes. A database of known nodes and their corresponding function values is formed. The known nodes are located such that a distance between any two adjacent known nodes is an integer power-of-two number. The database is searched for a first node such that the input node is located between the first node and an adjacent second node. The difference &dgr; between the input node and the first node is computed. Then &dgr; is shifted to the right by k positions, k being the logarithm in base 2 of the distance between the first and second nodes. The input node function value is computed by combining the first node function value with the product of the shifted &dgr; and the difference between the function values of the second and first nodes.

Abstract: A set of solid ink sticks for a phase change ink jet printer has a common printer key element that matches an insertion key in each in stick feed channel insertion opening. The key element is formed in a portion of the perimeter of each ink stick of the set. The key element is the same for all ink sticks of a set of ink sticks intended for a particular model printer. Different sets of solid ink sticks intended for different models of printers have different printer key elements in each set, to prevent an ink stick intended for one model printer from being incorrectly inserted into a different model printer.

Abstract: A MEMS system including a fixed electrode and a suspended moveable electrode that is controllable over a wide range of motion. In traditional systems where an fixed electrode is positioned under the moveable electrode, the range of motion is limited because the support structure supporting the moveable electrode becomes unstable when the moveable electrode moves too close to the fixed electrode. By repositioning the fixed electrode from being directly underneath the moving electrode, a much wider range of controllable motion is achievable. Wide ranges of controllable motion are particularly important in optical switching applications.

Abstract: A development system is provided that extends the functionality of liquid developer to produce custom colors and combines it with a powder development engine to enable custom color printing. An apparatus for developing an image on an imaging surface, including: a first developer unit having dry marking particles therein for developing a first portion of the image; and a second developer unit having a solution of marking particles and liquid carrier therein for developing a second portion of the image.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet printer has a longitudinal dimension along the length of the feed channel of the printer and a lateral dimension that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the feed channel. The lateral dimension of the ink stick is at least as great as the longitudinal dimension.

Abstract: A solid ink feed system for a phase change printer includes a solid ink feed channel that has formed in it a feed channel key that either blocks a solid ink stick from complete insertion into the feed channel, or blocks passage of an ink stick along the length of the feed channel, unless the ink stick has a key element corresponding to the feed channel key. A solid ink stick is formed of a three dimensional ink stick body with a key element that extends along a surface of the ink stick body through the rear of the ink stick body.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus, when an operator operates an input device to move a movable member from bottom to up with the thumb, the initial non-connected state is transferred to such a state that connection to the network starts to be established. When the movable member is further moved to reach another position, connection to another apparatus through the network starts to be established. According to the transfer of the connection state, haptic stimulation corresponding to the respective connection states at the respective points of time is presented by the connection presenting means to the stimulation presenting device. The haptic stimulation presented to the stimulation presenting device is force sense or vibration applied to the forefinger of the operator touching the device.